After Sunset Necklaces and a SALE

It's time for an After Sunset shop update!

The four current color options for the Double Twisted Statement Necklace have been listed on Etsy! Head on over and take your pick!

This Yellow & Magenta Golden Twist Necklace was just added today! I love this color combination.

But, hey... I can't deny my love for all things blue with this Golden Twist Necklace in Sky Blue :)

Or, if you're still loving the color combos, you can still grab this fun Orange/Magenta Necklace!

I seriously cannot get enough of royal blue with lighter shades of blue such as sky blue, turquoise, and aqua so this look below with the Golden Twist Necklace in Royal Blue is one of my favorites!

Now, for the best part - it's time for a SALE! 

Since it's now August, you know what that means... out with the old and in with the new! I'd love to make room for some newer bracelet designs for the Fall so some of our bracelets are 20% off! 

1. Golden Twist Bracelet in Orange/Magenta

2. Golden Twist Bracelet in Sunset Orange

3. Double Stranded Bracelet in Hot Purple

4. Double Stranded Bracelet in Royal Blue

20% off any of those bracelets!

Wear them alone or match them with your statement necklace!

Go check out After Sunset and, as always, let me know if you have any questions :)

Happy Shopping!

Some Summer Happies

Earlier, I wrote a post about the heavier part of life. Now, I get to talk about the lighter part of life. I think it just goes without saying that my life has been insane this past year, correct? It keeps me on my toes now. And it also pushes me. It reminds me to never settle and to never, ever give up on my dreams. It's also reminded me to be grateful... especially for the little things.

But last night when I went to bed, I went to bed happy [and before midnight, can you believe it?] The time I've been able to spend with this special person in my life has reminded me of so many of the things I love in life. To be around someone who knows you well and loves you all the same. Someone who really knew your Mom before she passed. Someone who knows your quirks inside and out and makes you crack up laughing until your stomach hurts about them. Someone who just genuinely cares about you.

Crazy concept, I know, but after the past couple years spent with someone who wasn't any of those things, it sure makes me thank my lucky stars to have this person back in my life after the time and distance apart.

I'm grateful for the most loving cat I could have asked for. A cat who never wants to leave my side and runs to see me each night as soon as she hears me open the door. I have a family that I know deep down in my heart will always, always be there. I have friends through the blogging world that I've connected with and will never be the same because of them and their true hearts. 

I am healthy. I have dreams. I am at a point in my life with limitless possibilities.

And I'm grateful for the little things too; the small, unimportant things that just make life fun. You know - like camera phones, sleeping in late, watching The Vampire Diaries whenever I want to on Netflix, getting awesome deals on statement necklaces from places like Very Jane and Bauble Bar. Oh, and chocolate. Ohhh, chocolate.

So, take a minute and reflect on the things that are making you happy right this second.
What are the big things?
What are the little, small, unimportant yet oh-so-wonderful things?
Chocolate? White chocolate? Puppy kisses when you get home from work? The way *he* looks at you? That super awesome deal you got on those wedges? Do tell! :)

The Heavier Part of Life

I've been thinking about life a lot lately. There is so much good but there is also so much sad. I think about mortality and the unknown. I have no idea how long I’ll be here. How long God has given me. But this has been weighing so heavily on my heart lately that I have to write about it. I remember one day earlier this year, I was on my way to work when I passed a horrible accident on the opposite side of the road involving a tractor trailer. It really shook me up. About a week and a half later, I lost my Mom.

The reality of life and more so the reality of death hit me like a brick. I will never forget the way it felt to watch my mother take her final breath. Never. To listen to the medical examiner give her official time of death. To meet with the Funeral Director to plan her funeral. It was so final. And so real.

And the truth is, people lose their lives everyday. People I’ve never met before.

Many of you may already know that I visit my Mom’s grave every weekend. I know she is no longer there. But to me, visiting the cemetery allows me to think. It’s where I get most of my reflecting done. I sit or walk or stand and just think about the full spectrum of life. I have, in a sense, gotten to “know” the other people who come to visit. I can tell they are visiting their late wives or sons.

I look out at the headstones and know that every one of these people had a story, a family, a life they lived however long or short.

The spot next to my mom’s grave belongs to a boy who was my age. We were born the same year. I’ve seen who I’m assuming was his mother there a few times. He passed away just a month before my mother. My heart breaks for him. There is another boy two rows up who went to high school right up the street but never even got the chance to graduate because he got into a car with someone under the influence. And the boy diagonal from him who was 26, my age, when he was killed in a car accident.

That’s three guys my age or not much younger than me who are right there around my mom’s grave. And there are hundreds more headstones in just that one cemetery alone. Every time I go there, I remind myself to live for those three guys I never got to meet. To not only chase my dreams but make them happen. To marry my true love. To raise a strong, loving family. To hold my grandchildren one day. I PRAY so hard that I will have the chance to live a life that full, as my Mom did.

Yesterday, again on the way to work, I saw a horrific scene as soon as I entered onto the freeway. Traffic in the opposing lanes was completely stopped and there were more vehicles with flashing lights than I could count. I saw a Penske truck and a sedan. The sedan was completely mangled in the front. My brother takes that route to work everyday and I texted him. He was safe but had been stuck in the back-up for nearly two hours. I thanked God that he was safe.

I later found out that a man had gotten out of the Penske truck and was around the back of it when a car slammed into him at full speed. As I write this, he is in critical condition. I don’t know who he is, where he was moving to, or how he is now but please pray. Pray for all of those people struggling to hang on to this precious gift of life. And please, let us not ever take a single second for granted.

Between the shootings that have occurred recently in Colorado and Wisconsin, all the violence throughout the world, and the innocent lives lost right here in my community, my heart just breaks. It's a constant reminder of this being our one life to live. Live it wisely. Live it fully.

A post to follow will cover the happier times of life :)

Summer Beauty Review Pt. 1

It's time to talk Summer beauty finds! I have come across and tried a few new products so far this Summer and have been waiting a while to share them with you! Let's start with nail polish.

Zoya is now my favorite brand of nail polish. I've mentioned before that I used to be a total Essie girl. That's all I would buy. Then, I started getting bored of going to the store and seeing the same shades every time. It was getting hard to tell what I had already since so many shades are just so similar. I went into Ulta one day in search of a new color and Zoya popped out at me! Right in front of my eyes was this gorgeous and unique shade called "Perrie."

Left to Right: Perrie | Myrta | Charisma

Perrie and Charisma are both matte polishes. Perrie is probably my favorite out of the two. I'm not sure why I thought Charisma had more purple in it but it is definitely a pinkish fuchsia. Perfect if you're looking for a bright, Summer color. Myrta has beautiful flecks of gold in it and I just love wearing this color too!

While the quantity of nail polishes still doesn't compare to O.P.I [in Ulta, at least] the colors are all so different and bea-uuu-tiful! The color goes on super smooth and rich and doesn't take forever to dry which is always a plus! I was also impressed with how long the polish lasted before starting to chip, and when it did, it was mainly down near the cuticle.

Zoya is officially my new favorite nail polish! What is yours?

Moving along... Sigma Beauty was kind enough to send me their Synthetic Precision Kit and these brushes have officially become part of my daily make-up routine.

1. P80 - Precision Flat

2. P82 - Precision Round

3. P84 - Precision Angled

4. P86 - Precision Tapered

I use the P80 and P82 brushes mainly to buffer and blend my concealer in around my eyes and nose. The bristles are very soft and really help smooth the product onto my skin. Wonderful quality! The bristles are soft but sturdy enough because, c'mon... who likes flimsy brushes? Not me!

Click below to shop now and receive your free gift! Let me know what you buy - I'm always looking for new products to try :) I'm in desperate need of a new blush brush and the F15 Duo Fibre Powder/Blush brush is looking mighty fine!

Speaking of concealer, I have found one of the best concealers in the world!
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer

I asked on my blog a while ago what concealers you recommend and when Michelle described this concealer, it sounded exactly like what I had been looking for. I had used many concealers in the past and finally just gave up on them because they didn't seem to do anything for me. Then, once my dark circles started to appear under my eyes, I knew I needed to find something.

I love the consistency of this product. Michelle described it as being almost clay-like, which it is. And guess what that means - it doesn't budge during the day! I apply this onto my skin after my foundation and blend using the brushes mentioned above! A little product goes a LONG way and spreads very evenly and smoothly onto the skin. Another amazing thing? You can pick this bad boy up at Wal-Mart! I will never use another concealer again!

We'll stop there for today. I wouldn't want to put you into beauty review overload now, would I? I still have a foundation, mascara, and powder review to come!

What other beauty posts would you like to see? Favorite products? Least favorite? Tutorials? Let me know in the comments! :)

*All product reviews are my own based upon my own personal use*

Lace Shirts, Banzai, and Summer Lovin'

I would say Happy Monday but I'm really not feelin' it. So, let's just look back on the weekend, shall we?

I've found a new fashion love. Lace shirts. I find them to be quite flattering on me while also being super lightweight which is always a nice thing in this East Coast humidity.

I will tell you right now if you want some... go to Kohl's! I have found four of my favorite lace shirts there and they are always on sale. Double score!

For 10% off until August 24, use the code UBLOGTEN :)

I also picked up my first official Fall piece of clothing. It's "back to school shopping" time so I could justify it even if a) I'm not a student anymore and b) Virginia will still be hot for the next month or two. A light lime green pencil skirt was also purchased. It was the last one on the rack and fit me perfectly. I had to get it, right? ;)

This weekend I also finally got to go to Red Robin. I'm pretty sure it was the first time in four or five years. I'm not much of a burger girl [after all, I was a vegan for two years] but I was craving that Banzai Burger! What's a Banzai Burger, you ask?

It is Heaven on Earth. It's a burger with the usual lettuce, tomato, and all that PLUS pineapple and delicious teriyaki sauce. Ohhh. Myyy. Goodness. I love it so much even if I took one bite, took this picture, and then the whole thing fell apart. I still ate every last bite.

The other awesome thing about the Banzai Burger is that it's named after my favorite beach - Banzai Beach on the North Shore of Oahu. So, just for fun... here I am at Banzai :)

Oh, and the other thing Red Robin is famous for - their Freckled Lemonades. Yum!

The remainder of the weekend was spent either poolside, watching Vampire Diaries, or with that "someone quite special to me." We enjoyed a nice dinner with his mom and spent some time in the city with friends. With all the changes and losses this past year, it is so unbelievably comforting to spend time with someone who's been a huge anchor in my life for years and years. Blessed that we've both been in the same place at the same time again.

Maybe I'll post those pictures someday ;)

P.S. I wonder if anyone has ever used the word "Banzai" as many times in one post as I have...

Beginning of August Favorites

It has just been a good week.

The Olympics have been on [and TeamUSA has been doing beautifully!], work has been quiet so I've been able to get a lot done, I got to hang out with a special someone and I had a fun girls' date with Miss Shannon... not to mention many other fun things liiiiike some new make-up purchases!

So, here I am to wrap-up the week with some of my favorites. Be sure to link up with Lindsey [she may or may not have talked me into posting some vintage Chelsea pictures back in my dance days...]

Favorite Song
JoJo - "Anything"

Guys, I'm not kidding when I say that I love JoJo. I'm sure you may only know a song or two of hers [ahem, "Leave (Get Out)"] but I can honestly say I love quite a few of her tracks.

I was driving along in my car one night when a song came on an XM station. The song had a familiar melody in the background that I later realized was from the Toto song, "Africa."

I am obsessed with this song. Too bad it came out in 2006...


Favorite Craft
Money Wall

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Start counting your pennies [or nickels] because this little craft project would look amazing up on the wall. Take painted letters and attach the coins to it for some bling-bling cha-ching!

Favorite Place
California

I have been thinking about this state a little more than usual lately. I love it with all my heart and can't wait to be back there someday :)

P.S. The gorgeous photo is courtesy of my amazing wedding photographer, True Photography :)

Favorite Beauty Product
Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Foundation

This, too, shall be featured in my upcoming beauty review [I promise, I'll be posting it soon!] I always do research on products before purchasing so I spent a lot of time on sephora.com before using my gift card to purchase Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Foundation.

So far, I am in love! It is just what I needed! Review to follow soon.

Favorite Space
This lofty apartment

I have also been looking into a lot of apartment decor lately [moving may or may not be on the horizon] and came across this amazing little loft. The longboard is my favorite part. I think this will be a requirement for decor in my new place :)

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Favorite Website

veryjane.com

Thanks to Ashley, I am now in love with this daily deal website. Not only is it just a daily deal website but it is for boutiques and cute Etsy-esque shops which means, you guessed it, JEWELRY!!!! I ordered an amazing piece on Wednesday that I will be sure to share with you once I get it in the mail!

Favorite Olympic Moment
Team USA Women's Gymnastics

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Taking the gold! As I mentioned in yesterday's post, these ladies are SO talented and deserving of those medals :) There have been so many emotional moments in the 2012 Olympics and this, to me, was the best :)

Have a beautiful weekend, friends! I know I sure plan to :)

Beautiful Fab Five Moments

I couldn't NOT post about last night's events in the Olympics.

#TeamUSA. Need I say more?

Was I bummed to find out hours before the gymnastics event aired here that the women's team had taken the gold? Yes, yes I was. [And I sure hope I'm not spoiling anything here.]

But I still watched the event and boy, am I glad that I did.

Things that made me get all teary-eyed - [Oh, come on... I know I'm not the only one]:

1. Seeing the girls looking stellar in their red leotards.

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2. McKayla Maroney's vault. HOLY COW! In my opinion, she deserved a perfect score.

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3. Watching Kyla Ross' beautiful lines and extension on the beam

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4. Watching Gabby Douglas literally FLY through the air.

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5. The last moments of Aly's floor routine, realizing they had won gold.

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6. Team USA waiting in anticipation for their final score and confirming the gold.

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7. Seeing Jordyn Wieber's ecstatic smile and awesome leadership

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8. And, of course, the medal ceremony...

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There were so many amazing moments. I just sat there thinking about what was going through the girls' minds as they were given their gold medals and as they watched their flag wave, listening to the National Anthem.

They are said to be the greatest Women's Gymnastics team of all time... and I believe it!

It all makes you think about your dreams, your goals, why you never trained for the Olympics. Ha :)

Oh, and congratulations to Michael Phelps on his amazing 19 Olympic medal record! WOW! It was a golden night, for sure.

What was your favorite Olympic gymnastics moment this year?